IMAANI

“When I was at school, I was always chosen to perform in the choir and my friends would constantly ask me to sing in the playground. That’s how I discovered I had a passion for it…

I come from a musical family on both sides. My Mother’s family all played instruments and Aunty Amara Wickramasinghe was a famous classical singer who was celebrated throughout Sri Lanka and Asia. On my Dad’s side, my uncles had a band when I was growing up and I used to sneak into their rehearsals in my Grandma’s basement and long to be a part of it all”

Born of a Sri-lankan mother and Jamaican father It wasn’t until Nottingham born Imaani moved to London in her late teens, that a chance meeting with a record producer led to her first recording. Her first paid gig was dancing as a shadow in one of Jocelyn Brown’s videos. She never looked back!

“One of the most wonderful and memorable voices…” Bluey (Incognito)

Gracing stages across the world Imaani’s live career is impressive. She has performed in numerous prestigious venues such as Tokyo’s famous Blue Note club, Switzerland’s Montreaux Jazz Festival and New York’s The Filmore, and featured in some highly respected bands such as Reel People, Urban Species and the celebrated Jazz funk band Incognito with whom she has toured prolifically for many years.

“Standing Tall’ has given this fine singer her very own musical canvas to paint, or embroider, her own musical pictures in our minds…” Soulwalking.co.uk

As a recording artist, Imaani’s success spans across genre’s. Her debut solo album ‘Standing Tall’ has been met with critical acclaim. It is a body of work that celebrates all of the styles of music that Imaani loves and combines them with strong hooks, soulful melodies and distinct production provided by Kevin Leo co-writer and producer.

“…She knows how to use her powerful soul voice, and even managed to give every song an individual and clear mood” – H P Ostermunchner

Imaani also has a stellar House Music catalogue under her belt with several Traxsource number 1s including the self-penned ‘Live without love’ and the glowing ‘Found my light’, which was written as an ode to her son and remixed by the formidable Layabouts. Not to mention a long-standing collaboration with the DJ/producer outfit Copyright, which resulted several club hits such as the anthem ‘Wizeman’, ‘Bring Me Love’ and ‘I Pray’.

Featuring on no less than twelve albums by the legendary Incognito, including ‘Eleven’, ‘Beneath The Surface’ and ‘Adventures in Black Sunshine’, ‘Bees & Things & Flowers’, ‘Tales from the Beach’, ‘Surreal’ ‘Amplified Soul’ and In Search Of Better Days’, Imaani has become a long-standing favourite with the fans. Her emotive lead vocal contributions also appear on albums from Urban Species, Reel People and Down To The Bone. Imaani’s session credits include Studio, television, and worldwide live performances with artists including: Chaka Khan, Nile Rodgers, Maceo Parker, Philip Bailey, Jimmy Cliff, UB40, Gloria Gaynor, Incognito, Betty Wright, Mica Paris, Anastasia, Stephen Marley, Julian Marley, Carleen Anderson and Leon Ware and Aswad.

“…The magnificent vocals of Imaani, who weaves her magic over a backdrop of funk guitar and old-school synths” DJ Times;

As well as enjoying an extensive and varied career, Imaani maintains her first love, performing with her band. Giving vocal performances described as ‘effortless’ over music provided by her extremely polished musicians she is able to take the audience on a journey with her. Her live show is a selection of original songs that showcase the raw, soulful emotions that life can bring sprinkled with a few classic covers. It promises soulful melodies, and a distinctly British sound.

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